01 October,2026 12:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Flydubai Pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar. Pic/ X
From Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag, tributes have poured in for Mumbai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar after his extraordinary actions during a violent cockpit attack on Flydubai Flight FZ1073.
Machchhar was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot while flying the Dubai-Tel Aviv route on Wednesday, yet continued to act in the midst of the emergency as passengers and crew fought to regain control of the aircraft. Israeli officials have described the incident as an apparent attempt to crash the Boeing 737, while an investigation into the attack and its motive is underway.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised Machchhar's actions in a post on X.
"Super proud of our Mumbai's son Captain Smit Machchhar, a true HERO - who saved hundreds of lives, in such an exceptional and extraordinary manner!" Fadnavis said.
He praised Machchhar's presence of mind despite his injuries and also saluted the passengers who worked together to handle the emergency.
"Wishing Smit a very speedy recovery and good health! You are an inspiration. Maharashtra & India is proud of you!" he added.
President Droupadi Murmu also praised the pilot's courage, saying the nation was proud of Machchhar.
"The nation is proud of Captain Smit Machchhar. His heroic courage and incredible presence of mind have deeply touched us all," Murmu said.
She noted that Machchhar continued to act to protect others despite being seriously injured and wished him a speedy recovery.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchhar's wife and parents and praised his bravery, according to the statement shared after the incident.
Modi also said Indian missions were providing all possible assistance following the emergency.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately praised Machchhar, saying that despite being stabbed and seriously injured, the captain fought back and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to Machchhar, saying the captain had put his own life at risk while helping protect those on board.
"The nation stands with Captain Smit Machchhar and takes immense pride in his extraordinary courage," Singh said.
He praised the pilot's composure and sense of duty and wished him a speedy and complete recovery.
Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his "extraordinary courage" and "remarkable presence of mind", saying the pilot's actions had saved hundreds of lives and averted a major tragedy.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also praised Machchhar's actions.
"We salute the bravery of Captain Smit Machchhar, who, despite being gravely injured, showed remarkable courage that saved the lives of many," Jaiswal said.
He added that Machchhar was receiving medical attention and was safe, while wishing him a speedy recovery.
Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh praised Machchhar's courage, saying his actions during the emergency showed extraordinary bravery.
"Captain Smit Machchhar showed extraordinary courage in the face of grave danger, putting the lives of others before his own despite being seriously injured," Singh said.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag also praised Machchhar, saying the captain's actions helped passengers and crew intervene during the cockpit attack.
Sehwag said Machchhar's courage and resolve helped save lives and wished him a speedy recovery.
SpiceJet, where Machchhar previously worked, also paid tribute to its former captain.
"Our heartfelt prayers and deepest respect go out to Captain Smit Machchhar for his heroic courage aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073," the airline said in a post on X.
The airline said Machchhar had worked with SpiceJet for more than 10 years and described his actions as an embodiment of the values it held.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also praised Machchhar, the crew and passengers who intervened during the emergency.
"I salute Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, the crew, and all who showed extraordinary courage and presence of mind under attack, helping save precious lives," Kharge said, while wishing the captain a swift and full recovery.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the cockpit attack and the motive behind it. Israeli officials have described the incident as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft, while Flydubai has cautioned against speculation as the investigation continues.
For the passengers aboard Flight FZ1073, the emergency ended with a safe landing in Saudi Arabia, after a sequence of events that put the captain, crew and passengers in an extraordinary fight to regain control of the aircraft.
